CCHT Emergency Preparedness and Procedures 3

Question 1

A dialysis patient with no known seizure history suddenly develops a generalized tonic-clonic seizure during treatment. What is the priority nursing/technician action?

Accepted Answer

Protect the patient from injury, stop dialysis, and call for help

Answer

During a seizure, the priority is protecting the patient from injury (preventing falls, removing hazards), stopping the dialysis treatment, and calling for emergency help. Physical restraint during a seizure is dangerous and can cause injury.

Question 2

Which of the following dialysis complications requires the technician to stop the blood pump and clamp the lines WITHOUT returning blood to the patient?

Accepted Answer

Suspected hemolysis from contaminated dialysate

Answer

In suspected hemolysis from contaminated dialysate (evidenced by pink or cherry-red blood in the venous line, patient symptoms of hemolytic reaction), the blood must NOT be returned to the patient. Returning contaminated hemolyzed blood can cause fatal hyperkalemia and cardiovascular collapse.

Question 3

What is the purpose of a disaster plan specific to a dialysis facility?

Accepted Answer

To ensure patient treatments can continue or be safely transferred during facility-wide emergencies

Answer

A dialysis facility disaster plan ensures that life-sustaining treatments can continue or be safely transitioned during emergencies such as power outages, natural disasters, or facility evacuations. ESRD patients cannot safely miss multiple dialysis treatments without risk of death.

Question 4

During a fire alarm in the dialysis unit, what is the immediate priority for staff with patients on dialysis?

Accepted Answer

Close fire doors and assess whether evacuation or shelter-in-place is appropriate

Answer

The immediate priority during a fire alarm is to follow the RACE protocol: Rescue patients in immediate danger, Alarm/Alert others, Contain the fire by closing doors, and Evacuate or extinguish as appropriate. Patients on dialysis cannot be quickly mobilized, so shelter-in-place may be safer unless there is direct threat.

Question 5

A hemodialysis patient develops a suspected allergic reaction to the dialyzer membrane with urticaria, bronchospasm, and hypotension. What medication class is the primary treatment?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine (anaphylaxis protocol)

Answer

A severe type A dialyzer reaction (anaphylaxis) with bronchospasm and hypotension requires epinephrine as the primary treatment. Epinephrine reverses bronchospasm, vasodilation, and mast cell degranulation—the life-threatening components of anaphylaxis.

CCHT - Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician Practice Test

CCHT - Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician Practice Test

CCHT Emergency Preparedness and Procedures 3